The Way of Ethical Humanism, Gerald A. Larue

The Way of Ethical Humanism , as articulated by Gerald A. Larue, presents humanism as a life-centered ethic grounded not in gods, scriptures, or an afterlife, but in human responsibility, dignity, and shared flourishing in this one life we know we have. Ethical Humanism affirms that every person is precious because of our unique evolutionary and genetic history, and that moral values arise from communal living, reason, and democratic dialogue rather than divine command. It rejects fear-based concepts such as sin, punishment, and perfection, reframing moral failure as “missing the mark” and emphasizing growth, mental health, compassion, and repair over guilt or coercion. By denying supernatural escape hatches, Ethical Humanism intensifies moral urgency: what we do now matters, how we treat one another matters, and meaning is created through action, not creed. Its response to existential anxiety is not faith in another world, but courageous engagement in this one—choosing love, justice, responsibility, and human solidarity as our highest ideals.